Mohali Test Review by Arshad Chughtai

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Ground:	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali
Scorecard:	India v Pakistan
Event:	Pakistan in India 2004/05

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DateLine: 16th March 2005

 

No team is thought able to save a match after conceding a huge first innings deficit, squandering several catching opportunities followed by a miserable top-order batting failure in their second innings. Yet Pakistan did so in Mohali and such instances are indeed rare.

 

It was truly a remarkable and miraculous performance. Abdul Razzaq and Kamran Akmal deserve lots of appreciation and applause for their dogged, determined and resolute batting adding 184 priceless runs for the seventh wicket. One finally had the pleasure to see such classic Test cricket after a long time in this modern 'limited-overs' age. An honourable draw was just the right result. No doubt India clearly dominated the proceedings on the first four days but cheerfully the final day belonged to Pakistan.

 

Nevertheless taking nothing away from the tourists for their valiant effort to save the match surely the outcome was affected by loss of 3 hours and 40 minutes due to bad weather on the second day. Pakistan was the beneficiary.

 

One can wonder if complacency impairs Pakistan in the next match but on the contrary they actually need to regroup, search and sort out their weak areas. Below is a brief review of the Mohali Test:

 

Asim Kamal (91) and Inzamam-ul-Haq (57) restored Pakistan’s innings after a dismal performance by the earlier batsmen which enabled their team reach 312 in the first innings. Paceman Lakshmipathy Balagi was the pick of the Indian attack and bagged 5 for 76 in 20.4 overs. Despite the loss of some very valuable time on the second day, India amassed 516 runs and earned a vital lead of 204 runs - thanks to expensive, crucial fielding lapses and a mediocre attack which could not check Virender Sehwag (173), Sachin Tendulkar (94), VVS Laxman (58) and Rahul Dravid (50). However, under the circumstances Danish Kareria’s 6/150 was a commendable feat.

 

Pakistan started disastrously with 3 gone for 10 runs in the second innings but first it was skipper Inzamam (86), Yousuf Youhana (68) and Asim Kamal (48) who helped their team wipe out the arrears. Subsequently, the fifth and final day was completely dominated by Abdul Razzaq (71) and Kamran Akmal (109). It was certainly a tremendous heroic rescue feat and Pakistan declared at 496-9. Afterwards the target of 293 runs was beyond the reach of the home team in the left over time and available overs.

 

In the end one cannot help but suggest Pakistan may consider dropping Younis Khan and one of the openers for the next match on account of their current poor form. The replacement could be Shahid Afridi and one out of Arshad Khan or Mohammad Khalil to reinforce the bowling attack.

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
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